Occupant protection system including expandable curtain and/or expandable bladder

ABSTRACT

An occupant protection system for a vehicle may include an expandable curtain and/or an expandable bladder configured to be expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state. In the deployed state, the expandable curtain may include first and second sides configured to extend along respective portions of first and second interior sides of the vehicle. The expandable curtain may also include a transverse portion extending between the first and second sides, and the first and second sides, and the transverse portion of the expandable curtain may form a contiguous barrier. The expandable bladder when deployed may be supported by the expandable curtain during contact by an occupant. The occupant protection system may also include a deployment control system configured to cause the expandable curtain and/or the expandable bladder to expand to the deployed state. The occupant protection system may be used in vehicles having a carriage-style seating arrangement.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/693,700, filed Sep. 1, 2017, andU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/445,157, filed Jan. 11, 2017, thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Airbags are often used to protect occupants of a vehicle from injuryduring a collision involving the vehicle. An airbag system may ofteninclude an airbag and an inflator for providing the airbag with a gas toinflate the airbag. Upon involvement in a collision, the airbag may berapidly inflated to create a cushion between the occupant and interiorsurfaces of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies/identify the figure in which the reference number firstappears. The same reference numbers in different figures indicatesimilar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is a cutaway side view of an example vehicle including an exampleoccupant protection system.

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the example vehicle shown in FIG. 1with an example expandable curtain shown in a deployed state.

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the example vehicle shown in FIG. 1with an example expandable curtain and an example expandable bladdershown in a deployed state.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example pair of expandable curtainsshown in a deployed state.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the example pair of expandable curtainsshown in FIG. 4 showing example transverse portions of the expandablecurtains.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of example expandable bladders.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the example expandable curtains shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, and the example expandable bladders shown in FIG. 6, withthe expandable bladders in an example arrangement relative theexpandable curtains.

FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram showing an example vehicle occupantbefore contacting an example expandable bladder supported by an exampleexpandable curtain.

FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram showing the example occupant from FIG. 8Acontacting the example expandable bladder.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example architecture for vehiclesystems including an example occupant protection system.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram including an example architecture for anoccupant protection system.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an example process for deploying anexpandable occupant protection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As mentioned above, an airbag may be used to protect an occupant of avehicle from injury during a collision involving the vehicle. An airbagsystem may include an airbag and an inflator for providing the airbagwith a gas to inflate the airbag. Upon involvement in a collision, theairbag may be rapidly inflated to create a cushion between the occupantand interior surfaces of the vehicle. Different vehicle designs,however, may result in difficulty in protecting an occupant with aconventional airbag. For example, a conventional airbag, once deployed,relies on support from interior structures of the vehicle, such as asteering wheel, dashboard, or an interior panel, to provide the airbagwith the ability to stop the movement of the occupant during thecollision. Some vehicle designs do not provide such interior structuresfor all locations at which an occupant may be seated, and thus, aconventional airbag may not effectively protect such occupants. Inaddition, the components of an airbag system occupy space inside thevehicle and add weight to the vehicle, and it may be difficult toinstall the components of an airbag system in a location of the interiorof the vehicle that permits the airbag to deploy at a rate sufficient toprotect the occupant and/or with sufficient dimensions to protect theoccupant. Some embodiments disclosed herein may address or mitigate atleast some of the above-noted drawbacks.

This disclosure is generally directed to an occupant protection systemincluding an expandable curtain and/or one or more expandable bladdersconfigured to deploy to protect one or more occupants of a vehicleduring a collision involving the vehicle. For example, an occupantprotection system for a vehicle may include an expandable curtainconfigured to be expanded from a stowed state to a deployed state havinga length configured to extend between a vehicle roof and a vehiclefloor. In some examples, the expandable curtain may be configured todeploy and/or extend from a location adjacent or close to the vehicleroof to a point above the vehicle floor. In some examples, theexpandable curtain may be configured to deploy and/or extend from alocation adjacent or close to the vehicle roof to the vehicle floor.Some examples of the occupant protection system may be used in vehicleshaving a carriage-style seating arrangement in which two or more seatsface one another, for example, in the vicinity of the center of theinterior of the vehicle.

The expandable curtain in the deployed state may include a first sideconfigured to extend along a portion of a first interior side of thevehicle, and a second side configured to extend along a portion of asecond interior side of the vehicle. For example, the first side of theexpandable curtain may be configured to extend substantially parallel tothe first interior side of the vehicle, and/or the second side of theexpandable curtain may be configured to extend substantially parallel tothe second interior side of the vehicle. The expandable curtain may alsoinclude a transverse portion extending between the first side and thesecond side of the expandable curtain. The first side, the second side,and the transverse portion of the expandable curtain may be contiguousand form a continuous barrier. For example, the first side, the secondside, and the transverse portion of the expandable curtain may becoupled to one another and/or may form a unitary barrier extending fromone end of the first side of the expandable curtain to one end of thesecond side of the expandable barrier. The occupant protection systemmay also include a deployment control system configured to cause theexpandable curtain to expand from the stowed state to the deployedstate. For example, the deployment control system may be configured toactivate one or more inflators in flow communication with the firstside, the second side, and the transverse portion of the expandablecurtain to, for example, rapidly expand the first side, the second side,and the transverse portion of the expandable curtain in response to animpact.

In some examples, the occupant protection system may also include anexpandable bladder configured to expand from a stowed state to adeployed state associated with the transverse portion of the expandablecurtain. For example, the expandable bladder may be configured to deployand/or extend from a location adjacent or close to the vehicle roof andadjacent the expandable curtain. In some examples, at least a portion ofthe first side of the expandable curtain and at least a portion of thesecond side of the expandable curtain may extend away from a supportface side of the of the transverse portion of the expandable curtain,and the expandable bladder may be associated with the support face sideof the transverse portion and may be located between the first side andthe second side of the expandable curtain.

In some examples, the deployment control system may be configured tocause the expandable bladder to expand from the stowed state to thedeployed state. For example, the deployment control system may beconfigured to activate one or more inflators in flow communication withthe expandable bladder to, for example, rapidly expand the expandablebladder in response to an impact. In some examples, the one or moreinflators associated with expanding one or more portions of theexpandable curtain may be different than the one or more inflatorsassociated with expanding the expandable bladder. In some examples, theone or more inflators associated with expanding one or more portions ofthe expandable curtain may be the same as the one or more inflatorsassociated with expanding the expandable bladder.

In some examples, the deployment control system may be configured tocause the expandable curtain to deploy and/or expand from the stowedstate to the deployed state at a first time, and thereafter cause theexpandable bladder to expand from the stowed state to the deployed stateat a second time following the first time. In some examples, thedeployment control system may be configured to cause the expandablecurtain and the expandable bladder to deploy and/or expand concurrentlyor substantially simultaneously from the stowed state to the deployedstate.

The occupant protection system, in some examples, may facilitate theeffectiveness of the expandable curtain and/or expandable bladder inprotecting an occupant during a collision involving the vehicle, forexample, having a vehicle design for which an interior structure doesnot exist in a position within a threshold distance (e.g., within 1 to 2meters) in front of a seating position of an occupant. For example, somevehicle designs may not include a reaction surface, such as an interiorstructure within the threshold distance in front of an occupant seat,and thus, there is no structure against which to support an airbag onceit has deployed. The effectiveness of protecting the occupant of such aseat during a collision using an airbag might be compromised, sincethere is no interior structure against which the airbag can abut toassist with stopping the movement of the occupant during the collision.In some examples of the occupant protection system described herein, theexpandable curtain, once deployed may provide a support against whichthe expandable bladder may abut to assist with arresting the movement ofthe occupant during the collision. In some examples, the expandablecurtain may be deployed to provide the support for the expandablebladder, for example, prior to or concurrently (substantiallysimultaneously) with deployment of the expandable bladder. In someexamples, when the occupant is thrown forward toward the expandablebladder during a collision, the occupant will contact the expandablebladder and press the expandable bladder against the expandable curtain,which will provide support for the expandable bladder and prevent theexpandable bladder from deflecting and allowing the occupant to continueto be thrown forward in an uncontrolled manner. In some examples, onlythe expandable curtain may be deployed, for example, without deployingthe expandable bladder. Such examples may be effective in preventingloose objects in the interior of the vehicle from becoming uncontrolledprojectiles during a collision. Some examples of the occupant protectionsystem described herein may provide protection for occupants in vehiclesthat do not have an interior structure within a threshold distance infront of one or more of the seats.

In some examples, the first side, the second side, and the transverseportion of the expandable curtain may collectively define asubstantially U-shaped cross-section transverse to the length of theexpandable curtain (e.g., as the expandable curtain extends between thevehicle roof and the vehicle floor). In some examples, the occupantprotection system may include a first tether coupled to the first sideand/or the transverse portion of the expandable curtain and coupled to aportion of the vehicle, such as, for example, a portion associated withthe first interior side, the floor, or the roof of the vehicle. Theoccupant protection system may also include a second tether coupled tothe second side and/or transverse portion of the expandable curtain andconfigured to be coupled to a portion of the vehicle, such as, forexample, a portion associated with the second interior side, the floor,or the roof of the vehicle. In some examples, the first and secondtethers may assist with preventing the expandable curtain, oncedeployed, from swinging in a direction away from the occupant during thecollision. In some examples, this may assist with preventing theexpandable bladder from swinging or otherwise moving in a direction awayfrom the occupant during the collision.

The occupant protection system, in some examples, may also include asecond expandable bladder configured to expand from a stowed state to adeployed state associated with the transverse portion of the expandablecurtain. In some examples, the first expandable bladder and/or thesecond expandable bladder may be coupled to the transverse portion ofthe expandable curtain. In some examples, the first expandable bladderand/or the second expandable bladder may not be coupled to thetransverse portion of the expandable curtain. For example, the firstand/or second expandable bladder may be coupled, directly or indirectly,to the vehicle roof independently of one another and/or independently ofthe expandable curtain. For example, the deployment control system maybe configured to cause the one or more of the first expandable bladder,the second expandable bladder, or the expandable curtain to expand fromthe stowed state to the deployed state, for example, by activating oneor more inflators associated with one or more of the first expandablebladder, the second expandable bladder, or the expandable curtain. Thus,the first expandable bladder, the second expandable bladder, and theexpandable curtain may be deployed together, concurrently orsubstantially simultaneously, or may be deployed independently of oneanother. By deploying them independently, the packaging of the occupantprotection system may be improved by, for example, reducing the size ofgas generators associated with the inflators and/or the housing(s) usedto contain the undeployed first and second expandable bladders andexpandable curtain. In some examples, the expandable curtain and/orexpandable bladders may deploy more rapidly due to the possibility ofreducing their respective volumes.

The expandable curtain, in some examples, may include a transverseportion configured to divide the interior of the vehicle. For example,if the vehicle includes a carriage-style seating arrangement includingseats that face one another, the transverse portion may extend betweentwo seats that face one another and divide the interior of the vehicleat a longitudinal point of the interior of the vehicle at which thetransverse portion is located. In some examples, the transverse portionincludes an expandable support chamber substantially centered in thetransverse portion and configured to expand into the interior of thevehicle. The expandable support chamber may include a vertical portionconfigured to extend at least a portion of the distance between thevehicle roof and the vehicle floor when expanded, and a horizontalportion extending at least partially from the first side to the secondside of the expandable curtain. In some examples, the occupantprotection system may also include a first lateral portion extendingalong the first side of the expandable curtain, and the first lateralportion may extend from a first end of the horizontal portion. Theoccupant protection system may also include a second lateral portionextending along the second side of the expandable curtain, and thesecond lateral portion may extend from a second end of the horizontalportion.

In some examples, one or more of the horizontal portion or the verticalportion of the expandable support chamber may have a non-uniformcross-sectional area when expanded. For example, the cross-sectionalarea of the horizontal portion may decrease from a maximum value at acenter region along the transverse portion to a minimum value at one ormore of the first side or the second side of the expandable curtain.

In some examples, one or more of the first side of the expandablecurtain, the first lateral portion of the transverse portion, theexpandable support chamber, the second lateral portion of the transverseportion, or the second side of the expandable curtain may be contiguousand form a continuous barrier extending from the first side of theexpandable curtain to the second side of the expandable curtain.

The first side, second side, and transverse portion of the expandablecurtain, in some examples, may cause the expandable bladders to remainrelatively centered in front of respective occupants when the respectiveoccupants contact the respective expandable bladders. For example, thefirst side, the first lateral portion of the transverse portion, and thevertical and horizontal portions of the expandable support chamber mayform a recess or pocket into which a corresponding expandable bladdermay be received or nest, thereby biasing the expandable bladder toremain centered in front of the occupant as the occupant contacts theexpandable bladder.

Some examples of the expandable bladder may include a coupling portionconfigured to be coupled to a portion of the vehicle associated with thevehicle roof. The expandable bladder may also include first and secondexpandable lateral arresters associated with the coupling portion, and alower support associated with the first and second expandable lateralarresters. In some examples, the expandable bladder may also include acentral expandable arrester associated with the lower support andconfigured to pivot relative to the lower support upon contact with aportion of an occupant of the vehicle. In some examples, the couplingportion, the first expandable lateral arrester, the second expandablelateral arrester, and/or the lower support may form an expandablearrester chamber. In some examples, the expandable arrester chamber maybe substantially continuous and may be, for example, substantiallyhorseshoe-shaped or ring-shaped and define a central space. The centralexpandable arrester may be configured to pivot into the central spaceupon contact by the occupant of the vehicle. In some examples, thecentral expandable arrester and the first and second expandable lateralarresters may be configured such that the central expandable lateralarrester pivots to a position at least partially between the first andsecond expandable lateral arresters upon contact with the portion of theoccupant of the vehicle. In some examples, the central expandablearrester and the first and second expandable lateral arresters areconfigured such that shoulders of the occupant of the vehicle contactthe first and second expandable lateral arresters, and the head of theoccupant of the vehicle contacts the central expandable arrester.

In some examples, the deployment control system may be configured toreceive a signal indicative of a predicted collision involving thevehicle and/or a collision involving the vehicle, and cause deploymentof the expandable curtain, the first expandable bladder, and/or thesecond expandable bladder based at least in part on the signal. Forexample, sensors associated with the vehicle may predict an imminentcollision involving the vehicle or may detect a collision uponoccurrence, and the deployment control system may receive one or moresignals associated with the prediction and/or detection, and activatethe occupant protection system by deploying the expandable curtain, thefirst expandable bladder, and/or the second expandable bladder.

In some examples, the deployment control system may be configured toreceive a signal indicative of the presence of an occupant in a firstlocation of the vehicle associated with a first expandable bladder, andcause deployment of the expandable bladder associated with the positionof the occupant based at least in part on the signal. For example, thevehicle may include an object classification system associated with aseat in the vehicle, and the vehicle may be able to determine whether anobject and/or occupant is present in the seat. The deployment controlsystem may receive one or more signals associated with whether an objectand/or occupant is in the seat, and based at least in part on thesignal(s), determine whether to initiate deployment, before or during acollision, of the expandable curtain and/or the expandable bladder. Forexample, if the signal indicates that an occupant is not present in theseat, the deployment control system may not initiate deployment of theexpandable curtain or the expandable bladder. This may preventunnecessary deployment and prevent costs associated with servicingdeployed parts of the occupant protection system. Alternatively, if thesignal indicates that an occupant is present in the seat, the deploymentcontrol system may initiate deployment of the expandable curtain and/orthe expandable bladder associated with the position of the occupant toprotect the occupant during the collision.

In some examples, the deployment control system may be configured toreceive a signal indicative of whether the occupant is properly wearinga seatbelt, and cause deployment of the expandable curtain and/or theexpandable bladder associated with the position of the occupant based atleast in part on the signal indicative of whether the occupant isproperly wearing the seatbelt. For example, the vehicle may includesensors and/or a system to determine whether the occupant is properlywearing a seatbelt. The deployment control system may receive one ormore such signals and, based at least in part on the signal(s), initiateand/or control deployment of the expandable curtain and/or theexpandable bladder. For example, if the occupant is wearing a seatbelt,the deployment control system may reduce the deployment rate and/or thedeployment volume (or pressure) of the expandable curtain and/or theexpandable bladder, for example, since the seatbelt will be expected toassist with preventing injury to the occupant during the collision. If,on the other hand, occupant is not properly wearing a seatbelt, thedeployment control system may maintain or increase the deployment rateand/or the deployment volume (or pressure) of the expandable curtainand/or the expandable bladder, for example, since the seatbelt will notbe expected to assist with preventing injury to the occupant during thecollision.

The deployment control system, in some examples, may be configured toreceive a signal indicative of a direction of travel of the vehicle, andcause deployment of the expandable curtain and/or the expandable bladderbased at least in part on the signal indicative of the direction oftravel of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle may be a bi-directionalvehicle configured to travel between locations with either end of thevehicle being the leading end. In such vehicles, a seat may be facingthe direction of travel when the vehicle is traveling with one end ofthe vehicle being the leading end, but with the seat facing rearwardwith the other end of the vehicle being the leading end. The vehicle mayinclude sensors and/or a system configured to generate one or moresignals indicative of whether the vehicle is traveling in a directionsuch that the seat is facing forward or the seat is facing rearward. Thedeployment control system may be configured to prevent deployment of theexpandable curtain and/or the expandable bladder associated with theseat when the seat is facing rearward based at least in part on thesignal(s). This may prevent unnecessary deployment and costs associatedwith servicing deployed parts of the occupant protection system.Alternatively, if the seat is facing forward, the deployment controlsystem may initiate deployment of the expandable curtain and/or theexpandable bladder associated with the position of the seat to protectthe occupant during the collision.

In some examples, the expandable curtain may be located in the vehiclesuch that the transverse portion of the expandable curtain, whendeployed, may be located in front of one or more seats of the vehicle(e.g., the seat(s) facing the transverse portion of the expandablecurtain), and the one or more seats may be located between the firstside and the second side of the expandable curtain. In some examples,the expandable bladder is at least partially stowed in a portion of thevehicle associated with the vehicle roof and is configured to expandfrom the stowed state to the deployed state between the transverseportion of the expandable curtain and the seat. For example, at least aportion of the first side of the expandable curtain and at least aportion of the second side of the expandable curtain extend from asupport face side of the of the transverse portion of the expandablecurtain (e.g., the side facing the seat), and the expandable bladder isassociated with the support face side of the transverse portion of theexpandable curtain and is located between the transverse portion of theexpandable curtain and the seat, and between the first side and thesecond side of the expandable curtain.

Some vehicles may include a first seat coupled to a portion of thevehicle and facing a first direction relative to a longitudinal axis ofthe vehicle, and the vehicle may also include a second seat coupled to aportion of the vehicle and facing a second direction opposite the firstdirection. In some examples of the occupant protection system, the firstside of the expandable curtain and the second side of the expandablecurtain may extend from the transverse portion of the expandable curtainin the second direction toward the first seat. The occupant protectionsystem may also include a first expandable bladder at least partiallystowed in a portion of the vehicle and configured to expand from astowed state to a deployed state. The first expandable bladder may beconfigured to deploy between the transverse portion of the expandablecurtain and the first seat. Some examples of the occupant protectionsystem may include first and second expandable curtains at leastpartially stowed in a portion of the vehicle and configured to beexpanded from a stowed state to a deployed state having a lengthconfigured to extend between the roof and the floor. In some suchexamples, the system may include a second expandable bladder at leastpartially stowed in a portion of the vehicle and configured to expandfrom a stowed state to a deployed state, and the second expandablecurtain may be configured to deploy between the first expandable curtainand the second seat. In some examples, the second expandable bladder maybe configured to deploy between the second expandable curtain and thesecond seat. In such example systems, protection may be provided foroccupants of seats facing both directions. For example, the seats mayface one another, and the first and second expandable curtains may beconfigured to deploy between the two seats. In some examples, thedeployment control system may be configured to receive one or moresignals indicative of a direction of travel of the vehicle, and causedeployment of the first expandable curtain and/or the second expandablecurtain. For example, the first expandable curtain, the first expandablebladder, the second expandable curtain, and/or the second expandablebladder may be deployed based at least in part on the one or moresignals indicative of the direction of travel of the vehicle. Forexample, if the vehicle is traveling with the first seat facing thedirection of travel, before or during a collision, the deploymentcontrol system may deploy the first expandable curtain and/or the firstexpandable bladder (e.g., associated with the first seat), and if thevehicle is traveling with the second seat facing the direction oftravel, before or during a collision, the deployment control system maydeploy the second expandable curtain and/or the second expandablebladder (e.g., associated with the second seat).

The techniques and systems described herein may be implemented in anumber of ways. Example implementations are provided below withreference to the figures.

FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of showing an interior 100 of an examplevehicle 102 including a pair of occupants 104. The example vehicle 102may be configured to travel via a road network from one geographiclocation to a destination carrying one or more of the occupants 104. Forexample, the interior 100 may include a plurality of seats 106, whichmay be provided in any relative arrangement. The example vehicle 102shown in FIG. 1 includes an example carriage-style seating arrangementin a substantially central portion of the interior 100 of the vehicle102. For example, the vehicle 102 may include two or more rows 108 ofseats 106, and in some examples, two of the rows 108 of seats 106 mayface each other, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. One or more of therows 108 of the seats 106 may include two seats 106 (e.g., seats 106Aand 106B). Other relative arrangements and numbers of seats 106 arecontemplated.

For the purpose of illustration, the vehicle 102 may be a driverlessvehicle, such as an autonomous vehicle configured to operate accordingto a Level 5 classification issued by the U.S. National Highway TrafficSafety Administration, which describes a vehicle capable of performingall safety-critical functions for the entire trip, with the driver (oroccupant) not being expected to control the vehicle at any time. In suchexamples, because the vehicle 102 may be configured to control allfunctions from start to completion of the trip, including all parkingfunctions, it may not include a driver and/or controls for driving thevehicle 102, such as a steering wheel, an acceleration pedal, and/or abrake pedal. This is merely an example, and the systems and methodsdescribed herein may be incorporated into any ground-borne, airborne, orwaterborne vehicle, including those ranging from vehicles that need tobe manually controlled by a driver at all times, to those that arepartially or fully autonomously controlled.

The example vehicle 102 may be any configuration of vehicle, such as,for example, a van, a sport utility vehicle, a cross-over vehicle, atruck, a bus, an agricultural vehicle, and a construction vehicle. Thevehicle 102 may be powered by one or more internal combustion engines,one or more electric motors, hydrogen power, any combination thereof,and/or any other suitable power sources. Although the example vehicle102 has four wheels 110, the systems and methods described herein may beincorporated into vehicles having fewer or a greater number of wheels,tires, and/or tracks. The example vehicle 102 may have four-wheelsteering and may operate generally with equal performancecharacteristics in all directions, for example, such that a first end112 of the vehicle 102 is the front end of the vehicle 102 whentravelling in a first direction 114, and such that the first end 112becomes the rear end of the vehicle 102 when traveling in the opposite,second direction 116, as shown in FIG. 1. Similarly, a second end 118 ofthe vehicle 102 is the front end of the vehicle 102 when travelling inthe second direction 116, and such that the second end 118 becomes therear end of the vehicle 102 when traveling in the opposite, firstdirection 114. These example characteristics may facilitate greatermaneuverability, for example, in small spaces or crowded environments,such as parking lots and urban areas.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 102 may include an occupant protectionsystem 120 configured to protect one or more of the occupants 104 duringa collision involving the vehicle 102. For example, the occupantprotection system 120 may include one or more of an expandable curtain122, one or more expandable bladders 124, and a deployment controlsystem 126 configured to control deployment of one or more of theexpandable curtains 122 and one or more of the expandable bladders 124,so that they deploy from a stowed state, for example, as shown in FIG.1, to a deployed state, for example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In someexamples, the occupant protection system 120 may also include a seatbeltsystem that includes a seatbelt for each of one or more of the occupants104, for example, as explained in more detail herein. The expandablecurtain 122 and/or the expandable bladders 124 may be formed from, forexample, a woven nylon fabric and/or other similar materials, ormaterials having suitable characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 1, the example vehicle 102 includes a chassis 128including a vehicle roof 130 having a housing 132 configured to receivethe expandable curtain(s) 122 and/or the expandable bladder(s) 124, eachin the stowed (e.g., unexpanded state). In some examples, the expandablecurtain(s) 122 and/or expandable bladder(s) 124 may be storedindividually in separate housings. In some examples (e.g., thoseexamples where portions of the expandable curtain(s) are separate), eachportion may be stored individually in separate housings. In someexamples, upon receipt of one or more signals from the vehicle 102, thedeployment control system 126 may be configured to activate one or moreinflators 134 in flow communication with the expandable curtain(s) 122and/or the expandable bladder(s) 124, such that the inflators 134provide a fluid or gas to the expandable curtain(s) 122 and/orexpandable bladder(s) 124, so that that the expandable curtain(s) 122and/or the expandable bladder(s) 124 may rapidly expand from theirstowed state (FIG. 1) to their respective deployed states, for example,as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For example, the inflators 134 may include agas generator, pyrotechnic charge, propellants, and/or any othersuitable devices or systems. The expandable curtain(s) 122 and/orexpandable bladder(s) 124 may be configured to deploy in, for example,less than 100 milliseconds or less than 50 milliseconds. As explainedherein, the expandable curtain(s) 122 and/or the expandable bladder(s)124, in the deployed state may protect an occupant 104 from injury (orreduce its likelihood or severity) during a collision involving thevehicle 102 by providing a cushion between the occupant 104 and interiorstructures of the vehicle 102, so that the occupant 104 will beprevented from being thrown into the interior structures and/or, in someinstances, being ejected from the vehicle 102.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of the example vehicle 102 shown inFIG. 1 with the occupants 104 omitted to aid clarity. FIG. 2 shows anexample expandable curtain 122 in the deployed (e.g., expanded) state inthe interior 100 of the vehicle 102. In the example shown, theexpandable curtain 122 has been deployed from the vehicle roof 130 andis coupled to the vehicle roof 130 at an attachment point 200. In someexamples, the expandable curtain 122 may be indirectly coupled to andsupported by the vehicle roof 130, for example, via an intermediatecoupling.

The example expandable curtain 122 may be configured to be expanded froma stowed state, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, to a deployed state,for example, as shown in FIG. 2, having a length L configured to extendbetween the vehicle roof 130 and a vehicle floor 202. As shown, in someexamples, the expandable curtain 122 extends toward the vehicle floor202 and terminates at a location spaced above the vehicle floor 202. Insome examples, the expandable curtain may 122 extend to and terminate atthe vehicle floor 202. In the example shown, the expandable curtain 122in the deployed state may include first side 204 configured to extendalong a portion of a first interior side 206 of the vehicle 102. Forexample, the first side 204 of the expandable curtain 122 may extend ina direction substantially parallel to the first interior side 206 of thevehicle 102. In some examples, the first side 204 of the expandablecurtain 122 may be deployed from a housing located above the opening 208in the first interior side 206 and or from the vehicle roof 130 of thevehicle 102. In some examples, the first side 204 of the expandablecurtain 122 may be inflatable and may be configured to providecushioning between the occupant 104 and the first interior side 206 ofthe vehicle 102.

In some examples, the expandable curtain 122 may also include a secondside 210 opposite the first side 204 configured to extend along aportion of a second interior side (not shown in FIG. 2 due tolimitations of the view provided) of the vehicle 102. The first andsecond interior sides of the vehicle 102 may be on opposite sides of thevehicle 102 and may extend substantially parallel to one another. Insome examples, the second side 210 of the expandable curtain 122 mayhave structural, location, stowage, and/or deployment characteristicssimilar to, or the same as, the first side 204 of the expandable curtain122, except that it may be located on the second interior side of thevehicle 102 and may be different to accommodate differences with beingon the second interior side of the vehicle 102 instead of the firstinterior side 206.

As shown in FIG. 2, the example expandable curtain 122 also includes atransverse portion 212 extending between the first side 204 and thesecond side 210 of the expandable curtain 122. In some examples, thefirst side 204, the second side 210, and the transverse portion 212 ofthe expandable curtain 122 form a contiguous barrier. For example, thefirst side 204, the second side 210, and the transverse portion 212 ofthe expandable curtain 122 may define a substantially U-shapedcross-sectional area as created by a plane normal to length L shown inFIG. 2. In some examples, the first side 204, the second side 210, andthe transverse portion 212 of the expandable curtain 122 form acontinuous barrier. In some examples, one or more of the first side 204,the second side 210, or the transverse portion 212 of the expandablecurtain 122 may include an additional expandable portion (e.g., achannel) located adjacent the vehicle roof 130. The one or moreadditional expandable portions may assist the deployment of the firstside 204, second side 210, and/or transverse portion 212 from thehousing 132 upon initiation of the deployment of the expandable curtain122. For example, the one or more additional expandable portions mayassist with forcing open portions of the interior trim of the vehicle102 configured to permit the expandable curtain to deploy fromunderneath the trim.

In some examples, the occupant protection system 120 may include a firsttether 214 coupled to the first side 204 and/or transverse portion 212of the expandable curtain 122 and coupled to a portion of the vehicle102, such as, for example, a portion associated with (e.g., directly orindirectly coupled to) the first interior side 206 (e.g., an interiorpanel or a structural member of the vehicle chassis 128) the floor 202,or the roof 130 of the vehicle 102, for example, as shown in FIG. 2. Forexample, the first tether 214 may at one end be coupled to a free edgeof the first side 204 of the expandable curtain 122, and at a second endcoupled to an anchor associated with the first interior side 206 of thevehicle 102 and/or the vehicle roof 130. The occupant protection system120 may also include a second tether 216 coupled to the second side 210and/or transverse portion 212 of the expandable curtain 122 andconfigured to be coupled to a portion of the vehicle 102, such as, forexample, a portion associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly coupledto) the second interior side, the floor 202, or the roof 130 of thevehicle 102, for example, in manner at least similar to the first tether214. In some examples, the first and second tethers 214 and 216 mayassist with preventing the expandable curtain 122, once deployed, fromswinging in a direction away from the occupant 104 during the collision,for example, as the occupant 104 contacts the expandable curtain 122,either directly or indirectly, as explained herein.

FIG. 3 shows an example occupant protection system 120 with the exampleexpandable curtain 122 and an example first expandable bladder 124A andan example second expandable bladder 124B in a deployed (e.g., expanded)state. In the example shown, the expandable bladders 124A and 124B havebeen deployed from the vehicle roof 130 and are coupled to the vehicleroof 130 at an attachment points 300. For example, the expandablebladders 124A and 124B shown in FIG. 3 have expanded from a stowed stateto a deployed state, and are associated with (e.g., directly orindirectly coupled to) the transverse portion 212 of the expandablecurtain 122, for example, such that the expandable curtain 122 maysupport the expandable bladders 124A and 124B when an occupant 104contacts one of the expandable bladders 124A or 124B as the occupant 104is urged forward in the direction toward which the seat 106 is facingand into the expandable bladders 124A and 124B (i.e., from left-to-rightas shown in FIG. 3). For example, the transverse portion 212 of theexpandable curtain 122 includes a support face side 302 facing the seat106 and the expandable bladders 124A and 124B, and as the occupant 104contacts one of the expandable bladders 124A or 124B, the expandablebladder 124A or 124B presses against the support side face 302 of theexpandable curtain 122. The expandable curtain 122, suspended from thevehicle roof 130 (or adjacent thereto) at the attachment point 200 andis supported by the first and/or second tethers 214 and 216, whichprevent the expandable curtain 122 from swinging freely about theattachment point 200 forward in the direction in which the seat 106 isfacing and the direction in which the occupant 104 is moving. In thisexample manner, the occupant protection system 120 may protect theoccupant 104 during a collision involving the vehicle 102, by preventingthe occupant 104 from colliding in an un-cushioned or unprotected mannerwith interior structures of the vehicle 102 and/or, in some instances,preventing the occupant 104 from being ejected from the vehicle 102.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, at least a portion of the first side 204of the expandable curtain 122 and at least a portion of the second side210 of the expandable curtain 122 extend away from the support face side302 of the of the transverse portion 212 of the expandable curtain 122.In some examples, one or more of the expandable bladders 124A or 124Bmay be associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly coupled to) thesupport face side 302 of the transverse portion 212 and may be locatedbetween the first side 204 and the second side 210 of the expandablecurtain 122, for example, as shown in FIG. 3.

The first expandable bladder 124A and/or second expandable bladder 124Bmay each be configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed stateassociated with the transverse portion 212 of the expandable curtain122, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. In some examples, the firstexpandable bladder 124A and/or the second expandable bladder 124B may becoupled to the transverse portion 212 of the expandable curtain 122. Insome examples, the first expandable bladder 124A and/or the secondexpandable bladder 124B may not be coupled to the transverse portion 212of the expandable curtain 122. For example, the first and/or secondexpandable bladder may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to thevehicle roof 130 independently of one another and/or independently ofthe expandable curtain 122.

In some examples, the first side 204, the second side 210, and/or thetransverse portion 212 of the expandable curtain 122 may be configuredsuch that when the expandable curtain 122 is deployed, the lower edge ofthe transverse portion 212 is closer to the seat 106 toward which thefirst side 204 and second side 210 extend than the upper portion of thetransverse portion 212, thereby resulting in the transverse portion 212extending downward toward the floor of the vehicle 102 and creating anangle relative to vertical, for example, as shown in FIG. 3. This anglemay be created by a contraction of the first side 204 and/or the secondside 210 as the expandable curtain 122 is deployed. This exampleconfiguration results the lower edge of the expandable curtain 122 beingcloser to the lower portion of the chest an occupant in the seat 106than an upper portion of the chest and/or head of the occupant upondeployment. This creates a surface against which the first and/or secondexpandable bladders 124A and 124B may react and which results inarresting the lower portion of the chest of the occupant and allowingthe upper chest and/or head of the occupant to continue forward andpivot downward into/against one of the expandable bladders 124 as theoccupant is arrested by the expandable bladder 124.

In some examples, the deployment control system 126 (FIG. 1) may beconfigured to cause the one or more of first expandable bladder 124A,the second expandable bladder 124B, or the expandable curtain 122 toexpand from the stowed state to the deployed state, for example, byactivating one or more inflators 134 (FIG. 1) associated with (e.g., inflow communication with) one or more of the first expandable bladder124A, the second expandable bladder 124B, or the expandable curtain 122.The first expandable bladder 124A, the second expandable bladder 124B,and the expandable curtain 122 may be deployed together, concurrently orsubstantially simultaneously, or may be deployed independently of oneanother. For example, the deployment control system 126 may beconfigured to cause the expandable curtain 122 to deploy and/or expandfrom the stowed state to the deployed state at a first time, andthereafter cause the first expandable bladder 124A and/or the secondexpandable bladder 124B to expand from the stowed state to the deployedstate at a second time following the first time. In some examples, thefirst expandable bladder 124A or the second expandable bladder 124B maybe deployed individually, for example, without necessarily deploying theother of the expandable bladders. By deploying the expandable curtain122 and/or the expandable bladders 124A or 124B independently, thepackaging of the occupant protection system 120 may be improved by, forexample, reducing the size of gas generators associated with (e.g., thatmay form part of) the inflator(s) 134 and/or the housing(s) 132 used tocontain the undeployed first and second expandable bladders 124A and124B and expandable curtain 122. Additionally, or alternatively, bydeploying the expandable curtain 122 and/or the expandable bladders 124Aor 124B independently, replacement costs may be minimized, as only thosedeployed members would need replacing or refurbishing.

The example vehicle 102 shown in FIGS. 1-3 may include a first seat 106Acoupled to a portion the vehicle 102 and facing the first direction 114relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle 102, and the vehicle 102may also include a second seat 106B (FIG. 1) coupled to a portion thevehicle 102 and facing the second direction 116 opposite the firstdirection 114. In some examples of the occupant protection system 120,the first side 204 of the expandable curtain 122 and the second side 210of the expandable curtain 122 may extend from the transverse portion 212of the expandable curtain 122 in the second direction 116 toward thefirst seat 106A. The first expandable bladder 124A may be configured todeploy between the transverse portion 212 of the expandable curtain 122and the first seat 106A.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, some examples of the occupant protectionsystem 120 may include first and second expandable curtains 122A and122B at least partially stowed in a portion of the vehicle 102 andconfigured to be expanded from a stowed state to a deployed stateextending between the vehicle roof 130 and the vehicle floor 202. Insome such examples, the occupant protection system 120 may include asecond expandable bladder 124B at least partially stowed in a portion ofthe vehicle 102 and configured to expand from the stowed state to thedeployed state, and the second expandable curtain 122B may be configuredto deploy between the first expandable curtain 122A and the second seat106B. In some examples, the second expandable bladder 124B may beconfigured to deploy between the second expandable curtain 122B and thesecond seat 106B. In such example systems 120, protection may beprovided for occupants of seats facing both directions. For example, theseats 106A and 106B may face one another, for example, as shown in FIG.1, and the first and second expandable curtains 122A and 122B may beconfigured to deploy between the two seats 106A and 106B. In someexamples, the deployment control system 126 may be configured to receiveone or more signals indicative of a direction of travel of the vehicle102, and cause deployment of the first expandable curtain 122A and/orthe second expandable curtain 122B. For example, the first expandablecurtain 122A, the first expandable bladder 124A, the second expandablecurtain 122B, and/or the second expandable bladder 124B may be deployedbased at least in part on the one or more signals indicative of thedirection of travel of the vehicle 102.

For example, if the vehicle 102 is traveling with the first seat 106Afacing the direction of travel (e.g., the first direction 114), beforeor during a collision, the deployment control system 126 may deploy thefirst expandable curtain 122A and/or the first expandable bladder 124A(e.g., associated with (e.g., within an effective distance from) thefirst seat 106A), and if the vehicle 102 is traveling with the secondseat 106B facing the direction of travel (e.g., the second direction116), before or during a collision, the deployment control system 126may deploy the second expandable curtain 122B and/or the secondexpandable bladder 124B (e.g., associated with (e.g., within aneffective distance from) the second seat 106B).

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example pair 400 of first and second expandablecurtains 122A and 122B oriented relative to one another in exampleorientations consistent with the example vehicle shown FIG. 1, forexample, a vehicle 102 having opposite facing seats 106A and 106B. Asshown, the example expandable curtains 122A and 122B include a firstside 204 configured to extend along a portion of a first interior side206 of the vehicle 102, and a second side 210 configured to extend alonga portion of a second interior side of the vehicle 102. The exampleexpandable curtains 122A and 122B also include a transverse portion 212extending between the first side 204 and the second side 210 of theexpandable curtains 122A and 122B. In the examples shown, the transverseportions 212 of the expandable curtains 122A and 122B, each include anexpandable support chamber 402 extending in a direction along the lengthL of the expandable curtains 122A and 122B (see FIG. 2). The exampleexpandable support chamber 402 includes a vertical portion 403configured to extend in the direction of length L (see FIG. 2) at leasta portion of the distance between the vehicle roof 130 and the vehiclefloor 202 when expanded. In some examples, the vertical portion 403 mayextend diagonally at least a portion of the distance between the vehicleroof 103 and the vehicle floor 202 when expanded (e.g., while stillextending vertically, the vertical portion 403 may also extend laterallyacross at least a portion of the respective transverse portion 212 ofthe respective expandable curtain 122). The example expandable supportchamber 402 also includes a horizontal portion 404 extending at leastpartially from the first side 204 to the second side 210 of theexpandable curtain 122, for example, in a direction normal to the lengthL (see FIG. 2) of the expandable curtains 122A and 122B.

In the examples shown, the transverse portions 212 also each include afirst lateral portion 406 extending between the first side 204 of theexpandable curtains 122A and 122B, the vertical portion 403, and thehorizontal portion 404, and a second lateral portion 408 extendingbetween the second side 210 of the expandable curtains 122A and 122B,the vertical portion 403, and the horizontal portion 404. In theexamples shown, the first and second lateral portions 406 and 408 arenot expandable, but rather, form a web between the first side 204 andsecond side 210, the vertical portion 403, and the horizontal portion404. In some examples, one or more of the first and second lateralportions 406 and 408 may be expandable. Although the first and secondexpandable curtains 122A and 122B are depicted as being the same, theymay differ from one another. In some examples, the first and secondexpandable curtains 122A and 122B may be formed as a single expandablecurtain, for example, with a common transverse portion 212, rather thanbeing separately deployable expandable curtains 122A and 122B.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the vertical portion 403 definesa raised portion 410 between the first lateral portion 406 and thesecond lateral portion 408 of the transverse portion 212 of theexpandable curtains 122A and 122B. For example, the vertical portion 403may include a tubular portion having a cross-sectional area in a planetransverse to a direction along the length L (see FIG. 2) of theexpandable curtains 122A and 122B that increases as the vertical portion403 approaches the horizontal portion 404.

In some examples, the horizontal portion 404 may include a lower tubularportion 412 having a cross-sectional area in a plane substantiallyparallel to the first and second sides 204 and 210 of the expandablecurtains 122A and 122B that increases as the horizontal portion 404approaches the vertical portion 403, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4and 5. In some examples, the transverse portion 212 of the expandablecurtains 122A and 122B defines a support face side 302, and the lowertubular portion 412 of the horizontal portion 404 extends from a firstend 414 to a second end 416, wherein the first end 414 and second end416 curve away from the support face side 302 of the transverse portion212 of the expandable curtains 122A and 122B (e.g., as viewed fromabove).

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the expandable curtains 122A and 122Bis configured such that the first side 204 of the expandable curtains122A and 122B, the first lateral portion 406 of the transverse portion212, the expandable support chamber 402, the second lateral portion 408of the transverse portion 212, and the second side 210 of the expandablecurtains 122A and 122B may form a contiguous barrier extending from thefirst side 204 to the second side 210 of the expandable curtains 122Aand 122B. In some examples, the first side 204, the second side 210, andthe transverse portion 212 may be separate components, but contiguous.In some examples, the first side 204, the second side 210, and thetransverse portion 212 may form a continuous barrier extending from thefirst side 204 to the second side 210 of one or more of the expandablecurtains 122A and 122B.

FIG. 6 shows example expandable bladders 124A and 124B in a deployedstate, and FIG. 7 shows the example the expandable bladders 124A and124B in relation to two example expandable curtains 122A and 122B all ina deployed state. In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the occupantprotection system 120 includes two first expandable bladders 124Aconfigured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state associatedwith (e.g., directly or indirectly coupled to) the expandable curtain,such that the first expandable bladders 124A in the deployed state nestbetween the first side 204 and the expandable support chamber 402 ofeach of the expandable curtains 122A and 122B. As shown, some examplesmay also include two second expandable bladders 124B configured toexpand from a stowed state to a deployed state associated with theexpandable curtains 122A and 122B, such that the second expandablebladders 124B in the deployed state nest between the second side 210 andthe expandable support chamber 402 of each of the expandable curtains122A and 122B. Different numbers of expandable bladders 124 arecontemplated.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the expandable bladders124 is configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state, andinclude a coupling portion 600 configured to be coupled to a portion ofthe vehicle 102 associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly coupledto) a vehicle roof 130. For example, the coupling portion 600 may becoupled directly or indirectly to the vehicle roof 130, for example,such that the coupling portion 600 is suspended from the vehicle roof130 and supports the expandable bladders 124. The example expandablebladders 124 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 also include a first expandablelateral arrester 602 associated with (e.g., directly or indirectlycoupled to and/or in flow communication with) the coupling portion 600,and a second expandable lateral arrester 604 associated with (e.g.,directly or indirectly coupled to and/or in flow communication with) thecoupling portion 600. The example expandable bladders 124 also include alower support 606 associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly coupledto and/or in flow communication with) the first and second expandablelateral arresters 602 and 604, and a central expandable arrester 608associated with (e.g., directly or indirectly coupled to and/or in flowcommunication with) the lower support 606 and configured to pivotrelative to the lower support 606 upon contact with a portion of anoccupant 104 of the vehicle 102, as explained herein. For example, alower portion of the central expandable arrester 608 may be coupled tothe lower support 606, for example, with substantially the remainder ofthe central expandable arrester 608 being substantially free to pivotabout the lower portion.

The expandable bladders 124 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 also each include afirst strap 610 coupled to the lower support 606 and configured to becoupled to a portion of the vehicle 102 associated with (e.g., directlyor indirectly coupled to) the vehicle roof 130 (e.g., a structuralmember of the vehicle chassis and/or an interior panel), and a secondstrap 612 coupled to the central expandable arrester 608 and configuredto be coupled to a portion of the vehicle 102 associated with (e.g.,directly or indirectly coupled to) the vehicle roof 130. In someexamples, the first strap 610 may be configured to assist withstabilizing and/or supporting its respective expandable bladder 124. Insome examples, the second strap 612 may be configured to assist withpositioning and supporting the central expandable arrester 608 beforeand during contact with the occupant 104.

In the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, one or more of the couplingportion 600, the first expandable lateral arrester 602, the secondexpandable lateral arrester 604, or the lower support 606 form anexpandable arrester chamber 614. For example, the coupling portion 600,the first expandable lateral arrester 602, the second expandable lateralarrester 604, and the lower support 606 may form a continuous expandablearrester chamber 614. In some examples, the continuous expandablearrester chamber 614 is substantially ring-shaped and defines a centralspace 616, and the continuous expandable arrester chamber 614 and thecentral expandable arrester 608 are configured, such that the centralexpandable arrester 608 pivots into the central space 616 upon contactby the occupant 104 of the vehicle 102, for example, as explainedherein. For example, the central expandable arrester 608 and the firstand second expandable lateral arresters 602 and 604 are configured suchthat the central expandable arrester 608 pivots to position at leastpartially between the first and second expandable lateral arresters 602and 604 upon contact with the portion of the occupant 104 of the vehicle102. In some examples, the central expandable arrester 608 and the firstand second expandable lateral arresters 602 and 604 are configured suchthat shoulders of the occupant 104 of the vehicle 102 contact the firstand second expandable lateral arresters 602 and 604, and the head of theoccupant 104 contacts the central expandable arrester 608.

In some examples, the first strap 610 and the second strap 612 may beformed from a partially elastic material. In some examples, the firstand second straps 610 and 612 may be formed from the same material, andin some examples, the first and second straps 610 and 612 may be formedfrom a different material, for example, such that the second strap 612is relatively more elastic than the first strap 610.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic sequence views of an example occupant 104during a collision involving a vehicle 102 including an example occupantprotection system 120. In the examples shown, the occupant protectionsystem 120 includes an expandable curtain 122 including at least atransverse portion 212 suspended from the vehicle roof 130, and anexpandable bladder 124 suspended from the vehicle roof 130 and includinga coupling portion 600, first and second expandable lateral arresters602 and 604, a lower support 606, and a central expandable arrester 608.FIG. 8A shows the example expandable curtain 122 and the exampleexpandable bladder 124 in the deployed state with the occupant 104 stillseated in the seat 106. As explained herein, in some examples thedeployment control system 126 may receive one or more signals from thevehicle 102 indicative of a collision or a predicted collision involvingthe vehicle 102, and the deployment control system 126 may activate oneor more inflators 134 to deploy the expandable curtain 122 and/or theexpandable bladder 124. In some examples, only expandable bladders 124associated with seats 106 in which occupants 104 have been detected willbe deployed. For example, only expandable bladders 124 in front of andclose enough to the occupied seats that would be effective in arrestingmovement of the respective occupants during a collision will bedeployed.

FIG. 8B shows the example occupant 104 being thrown forward in thevehicle 102 during a collision. In the example shown, the occupant'shead 800 and torso 802 are thrown forward into the expandable bladder124, and the expandable bladder 124, supported by the expandable curtain122, arrests the forward movement of the occupant 104 in a cushionedmanner to reduce the likelihood of injury. In some examples, theoccupant's head 800 contacts the central expandable arrester 608, whichpivots relative to the lower support 606 as described herein, and theoccupant's shoulders 804 contact the first and second expandable lateralarresters 602 and 604, which arrest the forward movement of theoccupant's shoulders 804 in a cushioned manner.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example architecture 900 includingvehicle systems 902 for controlling operation of the systems thatprovide data associated with operation of the vehicle 102, and thatcontrol operation of the vehicle 102. In various implementations, thearchitecture 900 may be implemented using a uniprocessor systemincluding one processor, or a multiprocessor system including severalprocessors (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Theprocessor(s) may be any suitable processor capable of executinginstructions. For example, in various implementations, the processor(s)may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of avariety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86,PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. Inmultiprocessor systems, each processor may commonly, but notnecessarily, implement the same ISA. In some examples, the processor(s)may include a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit(GPU), or a combination thereof.

The example architecture 900 may include a non-transitory computerreadable media configured to store executable instructions/modules,data, and/or data items accessible by the processor(s). In variousimplementations, the non-transitory computer readable media may beimplemented using any suitable memory technology, such as static randomaccess memory (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM),nonvolatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory. In theillustrated implementation, program instructions and data implementingdesired functions, such as those described above, are shown storedwithin the non-transitory computer readable memory. In otherimplementations, program instructions, and/or data may be received,sent, or stored on different types of computer-accessible media, such asnon-transitory media, or on similar media separate from thenon-transitory computer readable media. Generally speaking, anon-transitory, computer readable memory may include storage media ormemory media, such as flash memory (e.g., solid state memory), magneticor optical media (e.g., a disk) coupled to the architecture 900 via anI/O interface. Program instructions and data stored via a non-transitorycomputer readable medium may be transmitted by transmission media orsignals such as electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, whichmay be conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and/or awireless link, such as may be implemented via a network interface.

In some implementations, the I/O interface may be configured tocoordinate I/O traffic between the processor(s), the non-transitorycomputer readable media, and any peripheral devices, the networkinterface, or other peripheral interfaces, such as input/output devices.In some implementations, the I/O interface may perform any necessaryprotocol, timing, or other data transformations to convert data signalsfrom one component (e.g., the non-transitory computer readable media)into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g.,processor(s)). In some implementations, the I/O interface may includesupport for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses,such as a variant of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) busstandard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. Insome implementations, the function of the I/O interface may be splitinto two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a southbridge, for example. Also, in some implementations, some or all of thefunctionality of the I/O interface, such as an interface to thenon-transitory computer readable media, may be incorporated directlyinto the processor(s).

In the example architecture 900 shown in FIG. 9, the example vehiclesystems 902 include a plurality of vehicle sensors 904, for example,configured to sense movement of the vehicle 102 through the environment,sense environmental data, such as the ambient temperature, pressure, andhumidity, and/or sense objects in the environment surrounding thevehicle 102. In some examples, the vehicle sensors 904 may includesensors configured to identify a location on a map. The vehicle sensors904 may include, for example, one or more light detection and rangingsensors (LIDAR), one or more cameras, one or more radio detection andranging sensors (RADAR), one or more ultrasonic transducers, one or moremicrophones for sensing sounds in the environment, such as sirens fromlaw enforcement and emergency vehicles, and other sensors related to theoperation of the vehicle 102. Other sensors may include a speed sensor,sensors related to operation of internal combustion engines and/orelectric motors, sensors related to the tires to detect tiretemperature, tire pressure, and tread depth, and/or brake-relatedsensors for detecting brake temperatures and/or wear, and in vehicleshaving regenerative braking, sensors for detecting parameters related tooperation of the regenerative braking system. The vehicle sensors 904may also include, for example, inertial measurement units (IMUs),accelerometers, and gyroscopes. The vehicle sensors 904 may beconfigured to provide sensor data 906 representative of the sensedobjects and signals to the vehicle systems 902 via, for example, aninput/output (I/O) interface 908. Other types of sensors and sensor dataare contemplated.

The example vehicle systems 902 also include location systems 910configured to receive location information, including position andorientation data (e.g., a local position or local pose) from the vehiclesensors 904 and/or external sources, and provide location data 912 toother portions of the vehicle systems 902 via the I/O interface 908. Theexternal sources may include global satellites for facilitatingoperation of a global positioning system (GPS) and/or a wireless networkfor communicating and receiving information related to the vehicle'slocation, such as map data. The location systems 910 may also includesensors configured to assist with navigation of the vehicle 102, such aswheel encoders for sensing the rotation of the wheels, inertialnavigation sensors, such as gyroscopes and/or accelerometers, and/orcameras, LIDAR, RADAR, etc. for obtaining image data for dead-reckoningnavigation and/or SLAM-based approaches to localization.

The example vehicle systems 902 may also include one or more of aplanner 914, an object data calculator 916, an object classifier 918, acollision predictor system 920, a kinematics calculator 922, and asafety system actuator 924. The vehicle systems 902 may be configured toaccess one or more data stores including, but not limited to, an objecttype data store 926. The object type data store 926 may include datarepresenting object types associated with object classifications forobjects detected in the environment.

The example vehicle systems 902 shown in FIG. 9 also include a vehiclecontroller 928 configured to receive vehicle control data 930, and basedon the vehicle control data 930, communicate with a drive system 932(e.g., a steering system, a propulsion system, suspension system, and/ora braking system) to control operation of the vehicle 102. For example,the vehicle control data 930 may be derived from data received from oneof more of the vehicle sensors 904 and one or more of the planner 914,the object data calculator 916, the object classifier 918, the collisionpredictor system 920, the kinematics calculator 922, and the safetysystem actuator 924, and control operation of the drive system 932, sothat operation and maneuvering of the vehicle 102 is executed.

In some examples, the planner 914 may be configured to generate datarepresentative of a trajectory of the vehicle 102, for example, usingdata representing a location of the vehicle 102 in the environment andother data, such as local pose data, that may be included in thelocation data 912. In some examples, the planner 914 may also beconfigured to determine projected trajectories predicted to be executedby the vehicle 102. The planner 914 may, in some examples, be configuredto calculate data associated with a predicted motion of an object in theenvironment, and may determine a predicted object path associated withthe predicted motion of the object. In some examples, the object pathmay include the predicted object path. In some examples, the object pathmay include a predicted object trajectory. In some examples, the planner914 may be configured to predict more than a single predicted objecttrajectory. For example, the planner 914 may be configured to predictmultiple object trajectories based on, for example, probabilisticdeterminations or multi-modal distributions of predicted positions,trajectories, and/or velocities associated with an object.

In some examples, the object data calculator 916 may be configured toprovide data representative of, for example, one or more of the locationof an object in the environment surrounding the vehicle 102, an objecttrack associated with the object, and an object classificationassociated with the object. For example, the object data calculator 916may be configured to receive data in the form of sensor signals receivedfrom one or more of the vehicle sensors 904 and determine datarepresenting one or more of the location in the environment of theobject, the object track, and the object classification.

In some examples, the object classifier 918 may be configured to accessdata from the object type data store 926, which may be configured tostore data representing object types, such as, for example, a species ofan object classification, a subclass of an object classification, and/ora subset of an object classification. The object classifier 918, in someexamples, may be configured to analyze data representing an object trackand data representing an object classification with data representing anobject type, and determine an object type based at least in part on theobject track and classification data. For example, a detected objecthaving an object classification of an “automobile” may have an objecttype of “sedan,” “coupe,” “hatch-back,” “sports utility vehicle,”“pick-up truck,” or “minivan.” An object type may include additionalsubclasses or subsets. For example, a “sedan” that is parked may have anadditional subclass designation of being “static” or being “dynamic” ifmoving.

In some examples, the collision predictor system 920 may be configuredto use the data representing the object type, the data representing thetrajectory of the object, and/or the data representing the trajectory ofthe vehicle 102, to predict a collision between the vehicle 102 and theobject.

In some examples, the kinematics calculator 922 may be configured todetermine data representing one or more scalar and/or vector quantitiesassociated with motion of objects in the environment, including, but notlimited to, velocity, speed, acceleration, deceleration, momentum, localpose, and/or force. Data from the kinematics calculator 922 may be usedto compute other data, including, but not limited to, data representingan estimated time to impact between an object and the vehicle 102, anddata representing a distance between the object and the vehicle 102. Insome examples, the kinematics calculator 922 may be configured topredict a likelihood that other objects in the environment (e.g., cars,motorcyclists, pedestrians, cyclists, and animals) are moving in analert or controlled state, versus an un-alert or uncontrolled state. Forexample, the kinematics calculator 922 may be configured estimate theprobability that other objects are moving as though they are beingcontrolled and/or are behaving in a predictable manner, or whether theyare not being controlled and/or behaving in an unpredictable manner, forexample, by observing motion of the object over time and relative toother objects in the environment. For example, if the objects are movingerratically or without appearing to adjust to the presence or motion ofother objects in the environment, this may be an indication that theobjects are either uncontrolled or moving in an unpredictable manner.This may be inferred based on sensor data received over time that may beused to estimate or predict a future location of the object relative toa current or future trajectory of the vehicle 102.

In some examples, the safety system actuator 924 may be configured toactivate one or more safety systems of the autonomous vehicle 102 when acollision is predicted by the collision predictor 920 and/or theoccurrence of other safety related events, such as, for example, anemergency maneuver by the vehicle 102, such as hard braking or a sharpacceleration. The safety system actuator 924 may be configured toactivate an interior safety system (e.g., including sending one or moresignals to the deployment control system 126 of the occupant protectionsystem 120), an exterior safety system (e.g., including warning soundsand/or warning lights), the drive system 932, which may be configured toexecute an emergency maneuver to avoid a collision, and/or anycombination thereof. For example, the drive system 932 may receive datafor causing a steering system of the vehicle 102 to change the traveldirection of the vehicle 102, and a propulsion system of the vehicle 102to change the speed of the vehicle 102 to alter the trajectory ofvehicle 102 from an initial trajectory to a trajectory for avoiding acollision.

Some examples of the vehicle systems 902 may operate according to thefollowing example. Data representing a trajectory of the vehicle 102 inthe environment may be received by the vehicle controller 928. Objectdata associated with an object in the environment may be calculated.Sensor data 906 from one or more of the vehicle sensors 904 may be usedto calculate the object data. The object data may include datarepresenting the location of the object in the environment, an objecttrack associated with the object, such as whether the object isstationary or moving, and an object classification associated with theobject, such as whether the object is another vehicle, a pedestrian, acyclist, an animal, or a stationary object. In some examples, the objectdata calculator 916, based on the object data, may be used to determinedata representing the object's location in the environment, datarepresenting whether the object is moving, and data representing aclassification associated with the object.

In some examples, the planner 914 may use the object data to determine apredicted path of the object in the environment, for example, based ondata representing the location of the object and may process that datato generate data representing a predicted object path. Data representingthe type of object may be determined based on the data representingwhether the object is moving, data representing the object'sclassification, and/or data representing object's type. A pedestrian notin motion, a vehicle in motion, and traffic sign, a lane marker, or afire hydrant, none of which is in motion, are examples of object typeswith an associated motion data.

In some examples, the collision predictor system 920 may be used topredict a collision between the vehicle 102 and an object in theenvironment based on the object type, whether the object is moving, thetrajectory of the vehicle 102, the predicted path of the object obtainedfrom the planner 914. For example, a collision may be predicted based inpart on the object type due to the object moving, the trajectory of theobject being in potential conflict with the trajectory of the vehicle102, and the object having an object classification that indicates theobject is a likely collision threat.

In some examples, the safety system actuator 924 may be configured toactuate one or more portions of a safety system of the vehicle 102 whena collision is predicted. For example, the safety system actuator 924may activate one or more safety systems of the vehicle 102, such as, forexample, one or more of the interior safety systems, one or more of theexterior safety systems, and one or more of the components of the drivesystem 932 (e.g., the steering system, the propulsion system, and/or thebraking system) via the vehicle controller 928. In some examples, thevehicle controller 928 may determine that the interior safety systemwill be activated based on some action of an object in the environment,and the vehicle control data 930 may include information configured tocause the vehicle controller 928 to activate one or more functions ofthe interior safety system, the exterior safety system, and the drivesystem 932.

As shown in FIG. 9, the example vehicle systems 902 also include theoccupant protection system 120, which may operate as described herein.In some examples, the occupant protection system 120 may include anexpandable occupant protection system 934 and a seatbelt system 936,which may be in communication with other vehicle systems 902 via theinput/output interface 908. For example, the occupant protection system120 may be in communication with the safety system actuator 924, and thedeployment control system 126 may receive one or more signals from thevehicle systems 902 and activate the portions of the expandable occupantprotection system 934, for example, as described herein.

FIG. 10 shows an example architecture 1000 including the vehicle systems902 and the example occupant protection system 120. In the exampleshown, the example occupant protection system 120 includes an expandableoccupant protection system 934 and a seatbelt system 936, which controlsoperation of systems related to the seatbelts in the vehicle 102. In theexample shown, the expandable occupant protection system 934 includesone or more expandable curtains 122 and one or more expandable bladders124, for example, as described herein. The expandable curtain(s) 122 mayinclude one or more of a first side 204, a second side 210, and atransverse portion 212 extending between the first side 204 and secondside 210 and, in some examples, coupling the first and second sides 204and 210 to one another. The expandable bladder(s) 124 may include one ormore of a first expandable lateral arrester 602, a second expandablelateral arrester 604, and a central expandable arrester 608, forexample, as described herein.

In the example architecture 1000 shown in FIG. 10, the occupantprotection system 120 also includes a deployment control system 126,which may include one or more inflators 134 configured to supply fluidand/or gas to the expandable curtain(s) 122 and/or the expandablebladder(s) 124, for example, when activated by the deployment controlsystem 126, as described herein.

In some examples, the deployment control system 126 may be configuredreceive a signal indicative of a predicted collision involving thevehicle 102 and/or a collision involving the vehicle 102, and causedeployment of one or more expandable curtains 122, and/or one or moreexpandable bladders 124 based at least in part on the signal(s). Forexample, the vehicle sensors 904 may provide information to thecollision predictor system 920, which may predict a collision with anobject in the environment through which the vehicle 102 is travelling.The collision predictor system 920 may provide information to the safetyactuator system 924, which in turn, provides one or more signals to thedeployment control system 126, which may activate one more inflators 134to cause deployment of one or more expandable curtains 122 and/or one ormore expandable bladders 124.

In some examples, the deployment control system 126 may be configured toreceive one or more signals indicative of the presence of an occupant104 in a first location of the vehicle 102 associated with (e.g., withinan effective range of) one of the expandable bladders 124, and causedeployment of the corresponding expandable bladder 124 associated withthe position of the occupant 104 based at least in part on the one ormore signals. For example, the vehicle systems 902 may include an objectclassification system 1002 configured to determine information related,for example, to whether an object and/or occupant 104 is present in oneor more of the respective seats 106 of the vehicle 102. In someexamples, the object classification system 1002 may leverage one or moreof the vehicle sensors 904 and determine information about the objectand/or occupant 104, such as, for example, the size and/or weight of theobject and/or occupant 104 (e.g., whether the occupant 104 is an adult,a child, or an infant). As a non-limiting example, image systems (e.g.,cameras) internal to the vehicle 102 may determine presence of anoccupant 104 in a seat 106. If no occupant 104 is present, thedeployment control system 126 may receive one or more signals associatedwith whether an occupant 104 is in the seat 106, for example, via thesafety system actuator 924, and based at least in part on the one ormore signals, determine whether to initiate deployment of, before orduring a collision, the expandable curtain 122 and/or the expandablebladder 124 associated with (e.g., within an effective range of) theseat 106. For example, if an occupant 104 is not present in the seat106, the deployment control system 126 may not initiate deployment ofthe expandable curtain 122 or the expandable bladder 124. This mayprevent unnecessary deployment and prevent costs associated withservicing deployed parts of the occupant protection system 120.Alternatively, if an occupant 104 is present in the seat 106, thedeployment control system 126 may initiate deployment of the expandablecurtain 122 and/or the expandable bladder 124 associated with (e.g.,within an effective range of) the position of the occupant 104 toprotect the occupant 104 during the collision.

In some examples, the deployment control system 126 may be configured toreceive one or more signals indicative of whether the occupant 104 isproperly wearing a seatbelt, and cause and/or control deployment of theexpandable curtain 122 and/or the expandable bladder 124 associated withthe position of the occupant 104 based at least in part on the one ormore signals indicative of whether the occupant 104 is properly wearingthe seatbelt. For example, the vehicle sensors 904 and/or vehiclesystems 902 may determine whether the occupant 104 is properly wearing aseatbelt. The deployment control system 126 may receive one or more suchsignals and, based at least in part on the signals, initiate and/orcontrol deployment of the expandable curtain 122 and/or the expandablebladder 124 before or during a collision involving the vehicle 102.

For example, if the occupant 104 is wearing a seatbelt, the deploymentcontrol system 126 may reduce the deployment rate and/or the deploymentvolume (or pressure) of the expandable curtain 122 and/or expandablebladder 124, for example, since the seatbelt will be expected to assistwith preventing injury to the occupant 104 during the collision. If, onthe other hand, the occupant 104 is not properly wearing a seatbelt, thedeployment control system 126 may maintain or increase the deploymentrate and/or the deployment volume (or pressure) of the expandablecurtain 122 and/or expandable bladder 124, for example, since theseatbelt will not be expected to assist with preventing injury to theoccupant 104 during the collision.

In some examples, deployment of the expandable curtain 122 and/or one ormore of the expandable bladders 124 may be affected by a number ofparameters. For example, the deployment rate, the deployment volume (orpressure), the timing of deployment, and/or the sequence of deploymentof one or more of the expandable curtain 122 or the expandable bladders124 may be altered based at least in part on one or more parameters,such as, for example, the severity of a collision impact, whether one ormore occupants 104 is/are properly wearing a seatbelt, and/or the sizeand/or weight of the occupant(s) 104 (e.g., depending on whether theoccupant is an adult, a child, or an infant).

In some examples, the expandable curtain 122 and one or more of theexpandable bladders 124 may be deployed independently from one another.For example, the expandable curtain 122 may be deployed withoutdeploying any of the expandable bladders 124. For example, if objectsare detected in the interior 100 of the vehicle 102 and a rapid changein the speed and/or direction of travel of the vehicle 102 occurs, theexpandable curtain 122 alone may be deployed to prevent objects in thevehicle 102 from being tossed around inside the vehicle 102 during therapid change in speed and/or direction. This may be particularly usefulwhen, for example, an occupant 104 is in a seat 106 facing a seat 106 onwhich one or more objects have been placed. Upon the rapid change ofspeed and/or direction, the expandable curtain 122 may be deployed inorder to prevent the one or more objects from being thrown from the seat106 opposite the occupant 104 into the occupant 104.

The deployment control system 126, in some examples, may be configuredto receive one or more signals indicative of a direction of travel ofthe vehicle 102, and cause deployment of the expandable curtain 122and/or the expandable bladder 124 based at least in part on the one ormore signals indicative of the direction of travel of the vehicle 102.For example, the vehicle 102 may be a bi-directional vehicle configuredto travel between locations with either end of the vehicle 102 being theleading end, for example, as described herein with respect to FIG. 1. Insuch vehicles, a seat 106 may be facing the direction of travel when thevehicle 102 is traveling with one end of the vehicle being the leadingend, but with the seat 106 facing rearward with the other end of thevehicle 102 being the leading end. The vehicle 102 may include sensorsand/or a system configured to generate one or more signals indicative ofwhether the vehicle 102 is traveling in a direction such that the seat106 is facing forward (i.e., along a direction of travel) or the seat106 is facing rearward (i.e., opposing a direction of travel). Thedeployment control system 126 may be configured to prevent deployment ofthe expandable curtain 122 and/or the expandable bladder 124 associatedwith the seat 106, even when occupied, for example, when the seat 106 isfacing rearward based at least in part on the signals. This may preventunnecessary deployment and costs associated with servicing deployedparts of the occupant protection system 120. Alternatively, if the seat106 is facing forward, the deployment control system 126 may initiatedeployment of the expandable curtain 122 and/or the expandable bladder124 associated with the position of the seat 106 to protect the occupant104 during the collision, for example, as described herein.

In various implementations, the parameter values and other dataillustrated herein may be included in one or more data stores, and maybe combined with other information not described or may be partitioneddifferently into more, fewer, or different data structures. In someimplementations, data stores may be physically located in one memory ormay be distributed among two or more memories.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the example architectures900 and 1000 are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit thescope of the present disclosure. In particular, the computing system anddevices may include any combination of hardware or software that canperform the indicated functions, including computers, network devices,internet appliances, tablet computers, PDAs, wireless phones, pagers,etc. The architectures 900 and 1000 may also be connected to otherdevices that are not illustrated, or instead may operate as astand-alone system. In addition, the functionality provided by theillustrated components may in some implementations be combined in fewercomponents or distributed in additional components. Similarly, in someimplementations, the functionality of some of the illustrated componentsmay not be provided and/or other additional functionality may beavailable.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that, while various itemsare illustrated as being stored in memory or storage while being used,these items or portions of them may be transferred between memory andother storage devices for purposes of memory management and dataintegrity. Alternatively, in other implementations, some or all of thesoftware components may execute in memory on another device andcommunicate with the illustrated architectures 900 and 1000. Some or allof the system components or data structures may also be stored (e.g., asinstructions or structured data) on a non-transitory,computer-accessible medium or a portable article to be read by anappropriate drive, various examples of which are described above. Insome implementations, instructions stored on a computer-accessiblemedium separate from the architectures 900 and 1000 may be transmittedto the architectures 900 and 1000 via transmission media or signals suchas electrical, electromagnetic, or digital signals, conveyed via acommunication medium such as a wireless link. Various implementationsmay further include receiving, sending, or storing instructions and/ordata implemented in accordance with the foregoing description on acomputer-accessible medium. Accordingly, the techniques described hereinmay be practiced with other control system configurations. Additionalinformation about the operations of the modules of the vehicle 102 isdiscussed below.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an example process illustrated as acollection of blocks in a logical flow graph, which represent a sequenceof operations that can be implemented in hardware, software, or acombination thereof. In the context of software, the blocks representcomputer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readablestorage media that, when executed by one or more processors, perform therecited operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions includeroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the likethat perform particular functions or implement particular abstract datatypes. The order in which the operations are described is not intendedto be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described blockscan be combined in any order and/or in parallel to implement theprocesses.

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of an example process 1100 for deploying anexpandable occupant protection system. At 1102, the example process 1100may include receiving one or more signals indicative of a predictedcollision involving the vehicle and/or a collision involving thevehicle. In some examples, signals indicative of a predicted collisionor collision may be generated by a collision predictor system and may bereceived by a deployment control system, for example, as describedherein.

At 1104, the example process 1100 may include receiving one or moresignals indicative of the presence of an occupant in a first location ofthe vehicle. For example, an object classification system and/or otherportions of vehicle systems may generate signals indicative of whetheran occupant is present in a seat of the vehicle, and in some examples,one or more signals indicative of the seat in which the occupant isseated. In some examples, such signals may be received by the deploymentcontrol system, for example, as described herein.

At 1106, the example process 1100 may include receiving one or moresignals indicative of whether the occupant is properly wearing aseatbelt. For example, vehicle sensors and/or vehicle systems maydetermine whether the occupant is properly wearing a seatbelt, anddeployment control system may receive one or more such signals and,based at least in part on the signals, initiate and/or controldeployment of portions of the expandable occupant protection system, forexample, as described herein.

In some examples, the process 1100, at step 1108, may include receivingone or more signals indicative of a direction of travel of the vehicle.For example, the vehicle may be a bi-directional vehicle, and thevehicle may include sensors and/or a system configured to generate oneor more signals indicative of whether the vehicle is traveling in adirection such that the seat associated with an occupant is facingforward or rearward. Such signals may be received by the deploymentcontrol system, which may deploy portions of the expandable occupantprotection system, for example, as described herein.

At step 1110, some examples of the process 1100 may include causing anexpandable curtain to expand from a stowed state to a deployed stateextending substantially across an interior of a vehicle between a firstinterior side and a second interior side, for example, based on one ormore of the signal types described with respect to steps 1102 through1108. In some examples, at 1110, the process 1100 may include causing,at a first time, an expandable curtain to expand from a stowed state toa deployed state, for example, based on one or more of the signal typesdescribed with respect to steps 1102 through 1108. For example, if thedeployment control system receives signals indicative of one or more ofa predicted collision or collision involving the vehicle, indicative ofthe presence of an occupant in a seat of the vehicle, indicative ofwhether the occupant is properly wearing a seatbelt, or indicative thatthe seat in which the occupant is sitting is facing the direction oftravel of the vehicle, the deployment control system may deploy and/orcontrol deployment of the expandable curtain based on one or more of thesignals, for example, as described herein.

At step 1112, the example process 1100 may include causing an expandablebladder associated with the expandable curtain to expand from a stowedstate to a deployed state. In some examples, at 1112, the process 1100may include causing an expandable bladder associated with the expandablecurtain to expand from a stowed state to a deployed state. For example,the deployment control system may be configured to first deploy theexpandable curtain and thereafter deploy the expandable bladder insequence, for example, so that the expandable curtain is deployed andprovides a support for the expandable bladder once the expandablebladder is deployed. In some examples, steps 1110 and 1112 may beperformed concurrently (e.g., substantially simultaneously (withintechnical capabilities)).

In some examples of the process 1100, the expandable curtain and/or theexpandable bladder may be located in a substantially central location inan interior of a vehicle, such as, for example, a vehicle having acarriage-style seating arrangement including two of more seats facingone another, for example, as described herein. In some examples,following one or more of steps 1102-1108, the process 1100 may includedetermining locations at which to deploy one or more of the expandablecurtains and/or one or more of the expandable bladders, for example, asdescribed herein.

It should be appreciated that the subject matter presented herein may beimplemented as a computer process, a computer-controlled apparatus, acomputing system, or an article of manufacture, such as acomputer-readable storage medium. While the subject matter describedherein is presented in the general context of program modules thatexecute on one or more computing devices, those skilled in the art willrecognize that other implementations may be performed in combinationwith other types of program modules. Generally, program modules includeroutines, programs, components, data structures, and other types ofstructures that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that aspects of thesubject matter described herein may be practiced on or in conjunctionwith other computer system configurations beyond those described herein,including multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmableconsumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, handheldcomputers, mobile telephone devices, tablet computing devices,special-purposed hardware devices, network appliances, and the like.

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that technologies fordeploying an occupant protection system have been presented herein.Moreover, although the subject matter presented herein has beendescribed in language specific to computer structural features,methodological acts, and computer readable media, it is to be understoodthat the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarilylimited to the specific features, acts, or media described herein.Rather, the specific features, acts, and media are disclosed as exampleforms of implementing the subject matter recited in the claims.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be construed as limiting. Furthermore, the claimedsubject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or alldisadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure. Variousmodifications and changes may be made to the subject matter describedherein without following the examples and applications illustrated anddescribed, and without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention, which is set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An occupant protection system for a vehicle, theoccupant protection system comprising: an expandable curtain configuredto expand from a stowed state to a deployed state having a lengthconfigured to extend at least a portion of a distance between a vehicleroof and a vehicle floor, wherein the expandable curtain in the deployedstate comprises: a first side configured to extend along a portion of afirst interior side of the vehicle; a second side configured to extendalong a portion of a second interior side of the vehicle, the secondinterior side being opposite from the first interior side; and atransverse portion extending between the first side and the second sideof the expandable curtain, wherein the transverse portion is configuredto divide the interior of the vehicle.
 2. The occupant protection systemof claim 1, wherein the transverse portion comprises an expandablesupport chamber substantially centered in the transverse portion andconfigured to expand into the interior of the vehicle, the expandablesupport chamber comprising: a vertical portion configured to extend atleast a portion of the distance between the vehicle roof and the vehiclefloor when expanded; and a horizontal portion extending at leastpartially from the first side to the second side of the expandablecurtain.
 3. The occupant protection system of claim 2, furthercomprising: a first lateral portion extending along the first side ofthe expandable curtain, the first lateral portion extending from a firstend of the horizontal portion; and a second lateral portion extendingalong the second side of the expandable curtain, the second lateralportion extending from a second end of the horizontal portion.
 4. Theoccupant protection system of claim 2, wherein one or more of thehorizontal portion or the vertical portion has a non-uniformcross-sectional area when expanded.
 5. The occupant protection system ofclaim 2, wherein a cross-sectional area of the horizontal portiondecreases from a maximum value at a center region along the transverseportion to a minimum value at one or more of the first side or thesecond side of the expandable curtain.
 6. The occupant protection systemof claim 3, wherein the first side of the expandable curtain, the firstlateral portion of the transverse portion, the expandable supportchamber, the second lateral portion of the transverse portion, and thesecond side of the expandable curtain are contiguous and extend from thefirst side of the expandable curtain to the second side of theexpandable curtain.
 7. The occupant protection system of claim 2,further comprising a first expandable bladder configured to expand froma stowed state to a deployed state associated with the expandablecurtain, such that the expandable bladder in the deployed state nestsbetween the first side and the expandable support chamber of theexpandable curtain.
 8. The occupant protection system of claim 7,further comprising a second expandable bladder configured to expand froma stowed state to a deployed state associated with the expandablecurtain, such that the second expandable bladder in the deployed statenests between the second side and the expandable support chamber of theexpandable curtain.
 9. An occupant protection system for a vehicle, theoccupant protection system comprising: an expandable bladder configuredto expand from a stowed state to a deployed state, the expandablebladder comprising: a coupling portion configured to be coupled to aportion of the vehicle associated with a vehicle roof; a firstexpandable lateral arrester associated with the coupling portion; asecond expandable lateral arrester associated with the coupling portion;a lower support associated with the first and second expandable lateralarresters; and a central expandable arrester associated with the lowersupport and configured to move relative to the lower support uponcontact with a portion of an occupant of the vehicle.
 10. The occupantprotection system of claim 9, further comprising: a first strap coupledto the lower support and configured to be coupled to a portion of thevehicle associated with the vehicle roof; and a second strap coupled tothe central expandable arrester and configured to be coupled to aportion of the vehicle associated with the vehicle roof.
 11. Theoccupant protection system of claim 9, wherein at least one of thecoupling portion, the first expandable lateral arrester, the secondexpandable lateral arrester, or the lower support form an expandablearrester chamber.
 12. The occupant protection system of claim 11,wherein the coupling portion, the first expandable lateral arrester, thesecond expandable lateral arrester, and the lower support form acontinuous expandable arrester chamber.
 13. The occupant protectionsystem of claim 12, wherein the continuous expandable arrester chamberis substantially ring-shaped and defines a central space, and thecentral expandable arrester is configured to move into the central spaceupon contact by the occupant of the vehicle.
 14. The occupant protectionsystem of claim 9, wherein the central expandable arrester and the firstand second expandable lateral arresters are configured such that thecentral expandable lateral arrester pivots to a position at leastpartially between the first and second expandable lateral arresters uponcontact with the portion of the occupant of the vehicle.
 15. Theoccupant protection system of claim 9, wherein the central expandablearrester and the first and second expandable lateral arresters areconfigured such that shoulders of the occupant of the vehicle contactthe first and second expandable lateral arresters and a head of theoccupant of the vehicle contacts the central expandable arrester. 16.The occupant protection system of claim 9, further comprising anexpandable curtain configured to expand from a stowed state to adeployed state having a length configured to extend at least a portionof a distance between the vehicle roof and a vehicle floor, wherein theexpandable curtain in the deployed state comprises: a first sideconfigured to extend along a portion of a first interior side of thevehicle; a second side configured to extend along a portion of a secondinterior side of the vehicle, the second interior side being oppositefrom the first interior side; and a transverse portion extending betweenfirst side and the second side of the expandable curtain, the transverseportion being configured to divide an interior of the vehicle, whereinthe first side, the second side, and the transverse portion of theexpandable curtain are configured to support the expandable bladder uponcontact of the expandable bladder by the occupant of the vehicle.
 17. Anoccupant protection system for a vehicle, the occupant protection systemcomprising: an expandable curtain configured to expand from a stowedstate to a deployed state having a length configured to extend at leasta portion of a distance between a vehicle roof and a vehicle floor,wherein the expandable curtain in the deployed state comprises: a firstside configured to extend along a portion of a first interior side ofthe vehicle; a second side configured to extend along a portion of asecond interior side of the vehicle, the second interior side beingopposite from the first interior side; and a transverse portionextending between the first side and the second side of the expandablecurtain and being configured to divide an interior of the vehicle,wherein the transverse portion of the expandable curtain comprises anexpandable support chamber; and an expandable bladder configured toexpand from a stowed state to a deployed state associated with theexpandable curtain, such that the expandable bladder nests between oneof the first side or the second side of the expandable curtain and theexpandable support chamber of the expandable curtain.
 18. The occupantprotection system of claim 17, further comprising a second expandablebladder configured to expand from a stowed state to a deployed stateassociated with the expandable curtain, such that the second expandablebladder nests between the second side of the expandable curtain and theexpandable support chamber of the expandable curtain.
 19. The occupantprotection system of claim 17, wherein the expandable support chambercomprises: a horizontal portion extending at least partially from thefirst side to the second side of the expandable curtain; and a verticalportion extending at least a portion of a distance between the vehicleroof and the vehicle floor, wherein the transverse portion, thehorizontal portion, and the vertical portion form a recess with one ofthe first side or the second side of the expandable curtain, and whereinthe expandable bladder is received by the recess upon contact by aportion of an occupant of the vehicle.
 20. The occupant protectionsystem of claim 17, wherein the expandable bladder comprises: a firstexpandable lateral arrester configured to be coupled to a portion of thevehicle associated with the vehicle roof; a second expandable lateralarrester configured to be coupled to a portion of the vehicle associatedwith the vehicle roof; a lower support associated with the first andsecond expandable lateral arresters; and a central expandable arresterassociated with the lower support and configured to pivot relative tothe lower support upon contact with a portion of an occupant of thevehicle.